Tractor plow



Mwah 3L 3.925.

J. G. STEPHENSON .TRACTOR PLO W filed April 2s, :1.920 z sheets-sheet 1Mm'ch 3l, 1925. LSELSS J. G. STEPHENSON TRACTOR PLOW Filed April 28,1920 5 Sheetns-Sheei; .3

Jag T. EaEFhEr-xmn.

JAY GOULID STEHENSH. OF

llatented Mar., El, i925..

narran star s MENTS, TO TENS PIJOW ATHENS., TENNESSEE, ASSGNOR, EY'MESNEASSIGN- CQIIIPANY, A fil-@EPURATION F TENNESSEE.

' pplieation filed April 28, 192i). v Serial No. 3773232.,

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that l', JAY G. S'rnrrinnson, a citizen ot the UnitedStates, residing at Athens, in the county ot .Meli/lian and State ofTennessee, have invented certain new and nset'ullrnprovements inTractor" Flows, of which the following is a speciication.

rIhis invention relates to tractorplows. and the primary object of theinvention is to provide an improved tractor and an improved means forassociating a plow therewith. so as to permit the use of a.

relatively lignt plow and overcome the side draft on the tractor and toprevent the shitting ot the plows when plowing on a.

hillside.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a tractor in whichthe plows are arranged at one side ot the longitudinal medial planethereof-and between the 'front and rear wheels, the power heingdelivered at an angle to the direction of the tractor,

the wheels being arranged that one front wheel rides in the last furrowpreviously plowed and the companion rear wheel ina furrow being plowed,thereby effectively holding the' tractor to its course and preventingthe sliding ot the plows.

A further object of the invention is the provision of laltra/tor havingits one front wheel extended laterally 1oeyond the companion rear wheelso as to engagein the last furrow previously `plowed and having the plowso arranged in relationlto the tractor that the said companion rearwheels will ride iu a furrow being plowed, the iront wheels beingconnected together insuch a manner as to permit thev adjustment thereoito cause one oi" the saine to do the leading.

A further object ot the invention is the provision ot an improved meansfor as'.- sociating plows with the tractor so that the tractor can backup when necessary and turn square' corners.

A further object of the invention is the.

provisionof an improved means for raising and lowering the plows andmeans for automatically releasing the plows when a hard buried object isstruck so as to prevent the breaking oi? the plow and strain on thetractor.

.Another object ot' the invention is to so support and dispose the plowswith respect to the tractor, that the weight o' the'tracn the ground,whereby relatively deep plowing may be 1ecomplislied,l and whereby sideswaying of the tractor is prevented as it travels over the lield, hy theengagementof the plows in the ground having a stabilizing elect, so tospeak, on the tractor.

A still further object of the invention is the provision ot an improvedtractor'plow of the above character, which is durable f tor will'aid inmaintaining the'plows in y and eflicient in'use, one that is simple andeas to manufacture, and one which can be placed upon the market at areasonable cost.

Viith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in thenovel construction,- arrangement and formation of parts asl Iwill hehereinafter more spec'ically described, claimed and illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, forming a part of thisv specification, in whichdrawings:

FigureI l is a plan view illustrating the means of associating the plowswith' a tractor. i

Figure 2 is a* side elevation illustrating Ythe means of associating theplows withv a tractor.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view 'showing the iront axle ofa tractor and illustrating the means for extending the length thereotandthe means for securing the plow supporting rod thereto. l

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail transverse section through the front axleof a tractor taken on the line i-li of Figure 3 showing the means jforconnecting the plow supporting rod thereto.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevation of the iront axle ofa tractor showing the means tor extending the length of the same and thelength of the connecting steering rod tor the front wheels:

Figure 6 is.V an enlarged detail section taken on the line 6 6 ofFigilre 5 illustrating the means for connecting the steering roiextension with the ordinary steering ro Figure 7 is a. detail transversesection. taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 6 illustrating the means forconnecting the axle extension to the axle.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation showing the means forconnecting the plow supporting'rod tothe draw liar cap of the tractor.

Figure 9 is an enlarged transverse section through the plow supportingbeam illustrating the means of raisin(1r and lowering the .plows apdfor' holding tie same in adjusted position. Figure l() is a similarview'illustratlng the plows in a raised position. A

Figure 11 is a detail section taken on the line 11-11 of Figure 9through the adjusting lever showing the same in a locked position.

Figure 12 is a detail section taken on the line 12-12 of Figure 1lthrough the ad justing lever showing the same in its un# lockedposition, and l Figure 13 is a detail view of the link for connectingthe adjusting lever with the supporting rod for the plow.

Figure 14 is a cross sectional view "taken .through one of thebearingsleeves which supportthe plow bar, showing by way of examplemeans ,to prevent longitudinal moyement of the plow supporting bar outofv its bearing sleeves.'

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar referencecharacters designate' correspondlng parts throughout the several views,the letter A indicates a tractor,- and B the plows associated therewith.

The tractor Amay be of any preferred make or style, but as shown is ofthe Ford- Ason type and includes the front axle 15, the front wheels 16and 17, the connecting steern ing rod 18, the rear wheels 19, and thedraw bar cap 20. The front wheels 16` and 17 are rotatably mounted inthe usual manner on the stub axles 2l which carry the usual rearwardlyextendingsteering arms '22. As clearly ishown in Figure 1 of thedrawings, the frontwheel 17 is extended laterally of the rearwheel 19 soas to permit the same to ride in the furrow previously plowed and whichnecessitates the extension 'of the trout axle l iu any ot severaldifferent ways.

' .As shown in the drawings an extension bar 23 is provided which hasits outer end provided with a beariugf4 for the oiidinary spindlepin ofthe stub axle 2`ifloeated on 'that side. The inner end ot' the extensionbar 23 is reduced i1 height, as at 25, which provides a shoulddr 2 6,adapted to engage the outer end of the ordinary bearing 27 the har 23.The termina'ls of the Usshaped bolts 29 are, positioned through asuitable gegement with the plate.

knuckles in relation to each other.

vcuter end of the r'od 32 carries a U-shaped clamping plate 3G, 'toreceive huts 3l for en- 18 may be lengthened in any preferred Inanner,so as tocont'orm to the extended length of the front axle, and as shown,an auxiliary rod 32v is provided which has its inner ends threaded in adirection opposite to the rod 18, and these threaded ends are connectedsteering rod together by a turn buckle nut 33, which permits of theAadjustnnent of the steering The yoke 34 which is adapted to beconnected 'to the steering arm" ory fork 22. Other` methods of extendingthe steering rod can be employed, and the above 'form has been shownmerely for the purpose of illustration.

The plow B includes a' supporting rod, or beam 35, which is' arranged atan angle to the longitudinal axis ot the tractorjwholly to one side ofthe longitudinal vertical medial plane of the frame and this rod can besecured .at various points on the tractor, which varies according to thetype of tractor being used. The' front end of the supporting rod 35 isconnected to the extension bar- 23 by means of a sleeve v36 whichreceives said rod, and this sleeve Bcarries an attaching plate 37 whichis clamped against thelower surface ofthe extension bar23 by meansfofU-shape'd. bolts 38 which extend around saidV extension bar. 'l The rearend of the beam 35 is connected to 20 of the tractor. The means forconnecting the rear end of the rod 35 to the draw rod or supporting thedraw bar.l cap bar cap includes a supportingsleeve 40 havingl an arcuateextension eti/'which .is adapted to engagearound 'the draw ban'. cap 20.This extension 41 isr-'clampedir'x position on the draw bar cap by meansof a semi-circular shaped bolt 42 'which is extended around the uppersurface of the draw bar cap. 42 are'extended through suitable openingsformed in the extension 41 and receive suitable nuts 45 The rear end ofthe .sleeve 4t) carries an angled bracket d4, which is belted, as at45,- to the rear end of the draw bar ca a. This preventsl swinging movenment otthe sleeve 40 onthe draw bar cap. The provision of the sleeves 36and 40 for supporting the rod or supporting beamw'' permitsthe freerotation of the beam when necessary or desirable. The rod or supportingbeam 35 has secured thereto at spaced points the plow support ing arms4G which havesecured thereto in the m'dinary manner the plow disc 47. Itto be understood thht one or more plow discs can be used according to`the size of the tractor. A lever 48 is provided for rotating` the rodor supporting beam 35 in the sleeves 36 and 40, so as to permit theraising or lowerment with the ground.

ing of the plow disc 47 out of or in cngagc- The lever 48 has secured toits lower' end al pair of spaced plates elf), which are provided withslots 50 which loosely receive .the squared portion 5l of the supportingbeam 35. To permit of the rotation of the supporting beam when 'thelever 48 is actuated, a flat plate 52 is arranged between the plates 49,the' lower end of whichv is provided with a polygonal opening 53 whichsnugly receives the squared portion 5l ot' the supporting beam 35. Theupper end of the flat plate 52 is slot-ted, as at 54, and this slot isadapted to slidably receive a frangiblevpin 55 The lever 4S can beconnected to any portion of the rod or supporting beam 35 and may beplaced in rear of or in front ot' tlle`,d1ive1"s seat. As shown inFigure 1 'of the vdrawings, the lever '-18 is arranged in 'liront of thedrivers scat and a sector rack 56 issecured, as at 57; to the front ofthe' tractor. The sector rack 5G is arranged between the plates lil soas to permit the lever to slide thereon and the plate 52 engages onetace of the sector rack'. rflic frangible pin 55 is adapted to engagebetween any of the teeth of the sector rack 56 for holding the lever 4Sin its adjusted position and to operate the lever is first movedupwardly, which is permitted by the slot 50. and this movement willcarry the mngiblc 'pin above the outer surface of the rack 5G andthereby permit the operation of the lever.

Vilhen the lever 1S is operated,` the same carries the plate 52therewith, and owing to the connection of the plate -52 withthe rod orsupporting beam 35, the supporting beam will be rotated inithe sleeves47 and at@ for urging the plow discs 3G into or out rit' engagement withthegrouud. In this -manner the plow discs may be moved toward and awayfrom the. longitudinal. center of the tractor iframe to be positionedterl various depths of plowing, lVheu a hard object is struck by theplows l-T the trangible pin 55 will break and permit the tree swingingof the rod or supporting beam 35, and thus breaking ol. the plow disc isprevented.

ln use of the improved tractor, the wheel l 17 is placed in the ,furrowpreviously plowed and rear plow 47 is placed directly in front of thecompanion rear wheel 19 which latter 'travels in the last furrow be ingplowed. This absolutely prevents the 'plow discs from coming o'ut ofalignment with the furrows already plowed.

Many of several mechanical expedients may be used to prevent slipping ofthe plow suliiporting bar 35 longitudinally out of its supportingsleeves 36 and 40, and by way of example in Figm-e 'i4-1s shown aplusrality of retaining screws or members 50 'plows now on the market, andpermits the Vtractor to be used 1n turning sharp corners,

backing up and for hillside plowing.

Changes in details may be made Iwithout. departing from the spirit orscope of the invention; but,

l claim: i

l. The combination with a tractor includ* ing a frame, a rear axlecarried by the frame, traction wheels secured to the rear axle, a frontaxle having one end extended laterally beyond one of the tractionwheels, stubvaxles carried by the terminals of the front axle, anadjustable steering rod connecting the stub axles together, ot a plowassociated with the tractor including a diagonally extendingy supportingbeam, a sleeve carried by the extended portion of the axle adjacent toone of the steering wheels, a sleeve, carried by the rear end of theframe, the terminals of the beam being rotatably mounted in saidsleeves, plows rigidly carried by said beam and arranged inwardly ofsaid extended axle, an adjust- Y. ing lever movably carried by the beam,a sector rack secured to the frame and arranged to receive said lever, aplate rigidly connected to said beam and slidably associated with saidlever, and a 'fangible pin slidablyv connecting said plate with 'said'lever, the pin being arranged to engage, the sector rack.

2. ln a tractor plow including a i'rnme, u 110 front axle, a steeringwheel cmfried by one end of the, front axle, in extension har rigidlysecured to the opposite, end ol the axle, a steering wheel secured tosaid extension bar a plow beam, and means for securing the plow beam tothe extension har and frame. f

3.In a tractor plow including a frame and a front axle, a steering wheelsecured to one end ofthe front axle', an extension 120 barfor theopposite end ot the axle, the inner end ot said extension bar beingreduced in height to form a shoulder, the. Shoulder being` adapted toengage' the outer end of the axle, said' extension har ,having` 125 anopening formed thereinladjaccnt to the shoulder and in alignment withthe spindle pin bearing, a bolt extended through the opening and saidspindle pin bearing,

clamps carried by the inner end of the ex- Y tension liar and said axle,a steering n'lieel secured to the outer end of the extenejion liar, anadjustable steering;n rod connecting said steering wheels, en d adiagonally tending plow beam, 'and means for securing the plow beam tothe tractor frame and to the extension bar. 4. A, tractor plowcomprising a freine, front running gear for the frame, rear running gearfor the freine includingspaced simpel-ting` wheels and an axle housing,a draw bar rap, fixed 'on the honsinl substantially midway between theWliegls of the rear running gear, a rod connefeted'edja A cent its rearend to said draw bar cap and extending forwardly of the tractol entirelyto one side'of the' longitudinal axis of the tractor, and a plow carriedby said rod at a lpoint forwardly of said draw bar .cap in such relationto said draw liar cop that incident to plowing operation forces will bedirectly transmitted to said draw bar cap and axle housingn l 5. Atractor plow comprising a traine A portiomrear running; gear for theframe, front running gear for llie lnune oilset at one side of the-framefarther than at the other side, and e plow beam eonstrnctioii supportedatits 'rear end by the rear run- -80 ning gear, and at its front endbearing for pivotal movement about its uxis a center at the outer end atthe farthest oil'set of tlie i front running" gear.

l 6. A tractor plow comprising a traine, "lfront`running gaan-rearrunning gear inclilding Wheels and axle housing, a 'draw bar cap fixedon the housing; substantially midway between the wheels of the rear reinruiming gear,

ning. gearya suppolting construetioi'i eoni0 nected at its rear end tosaid draw bar oepy and extending forwardly of the tractor, and aplowcarried by said supporting construetion :it a point forwardly of saiddraw liar capv in such relation tliereto that-incident I I moving theplow toward or away :troni tno lo a plowing operationv forces ywill lieilirected' to said draw' liar cap.

'7. A tractor plow comprisiiigaframe; .rear rni'ining'gear foisnpportingthe :trame including e differential or axle housing i front runningrearfor tlie frame including an axle oils-et vfor a greater dista-nce at oneSide of the franie than at tlie 'other' Side of the Lrframe, and a plowbeam construction supported et its re'ar end by the differentialhousingT and extendiifig diagonally therefron'ifor support at itsforward end by tlieV farthest oset end of the axle .of the front runninggear.

8. A tractor plow comprising an clonv-` gated frame including a draw oarcap, weer tion whe fle Supporting said frame at one end longitudinal.eenterolt tliereol and relatively dispoeed at equal dis tanees: 'uponopposite sides of tlie longitudinal axis o1 the trarne, steering Wheelssupporting the other end of the frame relatively disposed ntunequaldistances at opposite sides of the longitudinal exis of die frame, anda. plow benin construction snpportcd at one end by the draw liar cap andat its other end by the freine adjacent the eteerinf wheel farthestspaced 'from ille longitudinal axis olf 'the frame.

Sl. A tractor plow comprising an elon. gated frame ineludiirigl a drawoor cap, traction wheels supporting said frame at one end thereof andrelatively disposed at equal distances upon opposite sides of 'tlielongi tudinalaxls of tlie traine, Steering wheels supporting the otherend of the freine relatively disposed at unequal dist'ancesgat op positesides of the longitudinal axis of the frame, a plow beam. constructionsupported end by the drew lmr cap and at its at one other end by tlietraine adjacent the steerine` wheel farthest spaced from the longiJ 25ti'idinal airis of tliefranie, the benin ol said plow beam.eonstructifni being so supported at its ends that the saine 4may licuiof'ed about its axis es a. center l'or operating' plows in or out ofengagement with 'a ground sur face.

10. A plow attachment for tractors cor prising a detachable axleextension construction, and a plow beam construction adapted forattaclnnentto the tractor lranie at one end and'at its 'other end tosaid y'front axle extension 5 n 1l. A tractor plow comprising' a frame,a draw liarcap carried by said tractor at thefrear thereof, a supportingconstruction connected at its rear end to said draw bar cap andextending' forwardly of the tractor and laterally of the longitudinalaxie thereof, a. plow carried by .said supporting construction7 andmeans for 105 'longitudinol center of said tractor fri-.nie to positionthe plow lor various depths of plowing.

lQtzA trector plow t-omfprieing afi'erne,` lto- 'running gear, asupporting construction connected at it rear end to. the real-endet thetractor and extending forwardly of the tractor and laterally of thelongitudinal axis of the tractor frame and iacluding a bar H5mounte'dflior rotation, av plow ixedly'carried by said oar in offset r*lation laterally thereof, end means :for xnovig 'the ber and holdingitin a desired "positiorl "for .position- .ing the .plow toward, or awayfrom the .120

` seid tractor frame.

JAY SOUL@ SlEPHENSGN.

